The Ciba Foundation has donated $200,000 to establish the Ciba Foundation Scholars Fund in Chemistry
at the University of Memphis. The gift will fund scholarships to attract, educate,
and retain top undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry. The Foundation also
made a $50,000 gift toward purchasing equipment that will directly support undergraduate
chemistry research.

Based in Tarrytown, N.Y., the Ciba Foundation has been supporting science education
for more than 25 years. The Foundation was established through Ciba Corp. to advance
science education by forging partnerships among schools, business, and communities.
Through the years it has supported programs and learning experiences that bridge the
transition from school to career. Ciba Corp., now part of BASF, operates a water and
paper treatment facility in West Memphis with a staff of 145 employees.

Jim Morse of Ciba (second from left) presents the U of M gift to Dr. Peter Bridson, associate professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry; U of M President Shirley Raines; and Dr. Henry Kurtz, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Jim Morse of Ciba (second from left) presents
the U of M gift to Dr. Peter Bridson, associate professor and chair of the Department
of Chemistry; U of M President Shirley Raines; and Dr. Henry Kurtz, dean of the College
of Arts & Sciences.

"The Chemistry Department would like to thank the Ciba Foundation for its generous
donation, and to recognize in particular one of our alumni, Jim Morse, manager of
environmental health and safety at the Ciba plant in West Memphis, for initiating
the donation," said Dr. Peter Bridson, associate professor and chair of Chemistry.
"Part of the donation will be used immediately for the purchase of equipment to be
used by students who are studying new materials being synthesized by several research
groups in the department. The remaining funds will support scholarships for students
studying chemistry. The faculty and students of the department are very grateful for
this support." The first scholarship will be awarded for the fall 2009 semester.

"We are extremely proud to support the outstanding work of the University of Memphis,"
said Ciba plant manager Debbie Dalley. "This grant demonstrates the longstanding and
unwavering commitment on Ciba's part to enriching science education and supporting
workforce development in our local communities by equipping young people with the
skills they need to succeed."

Ciba Gift Benefits Chemistry StudentsCiba Foundation Scholars Fund in ChemistryThe gift will fund scholarships to attract, educate, and retain top undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry. more info...